Transfer assembly for cylindrical members

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a transfer assembly for automatically transferring or distributing a continuous supply of members from a main source into a plurality of carriers. The transfer assembly includes a continuously rotating drum loader having storage chutes spaced about the periphery thereof for continuously receiving members. The carriers into which members are to be distributed are mounted so that they pass around the axis of rotation of the drum loader in unison therewith and in alignment with lower ends of the chutes. Each chute is provided with a gate at its lower end and means are provided for serially operating the gate to dispense a predetermined number of members into each carrier. Each carrier is also provided with escapement mechanisms which repeatedly dissipate the energy of the falling members received therein and which also serve to spaced vertically adjacent members within a carrier.

United States Patent [151 3,669,308 Werner et al. June 13, 1972 [54]TRANSFER ASSEMBLY FOR CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS Primary Examiner-Robert B.Reeves Assistant E.\'aminer'l'homas E. Kocovsky [72] Inventors: Ben E.Werner, Golden; Richard D. Setty,

Lakewood, both of Colo. Attorney Baldwin, Wight & Brown [73] Assignee:UR Industries, Inc., Golden, C010. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 8,1970 This disclosure relates to a transfer assembly for automaticallytransferring or distributing a continuous supply of members [21] Appl'44515 from a main source into a plurality of carriers. The transfer assembly includes a continuously rotating drum loader having [5 2] US. Cl..22l/1l9, 198/209 storage chutes spaced about the periphery thereof forcontinu- [51] lnt.Cl ..Bg 60/00 ously receiving members. The carriersinto which members [58] Field of Sear h are to be distributed aremounted so that they pass around the 22 /86, 1 10, 225, axis of rotationof the drum loader in unison therewith and in 236, 301, l 19, 120, 123,l 15 alignment with lower ends of the chutes. Each chute is providedwith a gate at its lower end and means are provided for [56] Referencesand serially operating the gate to dispense a predetermined UNITEDSTATES PATENTS n tzirgger members into each l:zarrier. Ealih lriarrierist ago [Zr 0- V1 W1 escapemen mec amsms w to repea e y 1s- 3,090,4765/1963 Sanders ..198/103 X ipate the energy of the falling membersreceived therein and which also serve to spaced vertically adjacentmembers within a men a carrier. 3,357,537 12/1967 Ring 21/68X 3, l69,445 2/ l 965 Stanton 1 98/ 103 X 19 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures EED C2| CKOUT AQZTUATDR "1 J g a 93 I 1 46 a l i l 1 F 2524. i OVEN F 8 I 2323 l I tl- '30 us j as DETECTOR 27 DELN E RY PATENTEDJUH 1 3 I9723,669,308

SHEET NF 4 FEED 2| LOCKOUT ACTUATOR DETECTOR 27 26 f I IEEETIFE ILDCKDLIT OVEN AcTumnR GD [I BE f DETECTOR 23 65 INVENTORS Y CAM STARTQCHQRD D SETTY & BEN E. UJERNER $16.2

BYMM u um ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUH 13 m2 SHEET 2 0F 4 ATTORNEYS PATENTEUJH1 I912 3,669,308

sum 30F 4 nan INVENTORS RICHQRD DSET Y BEN E. WERNER ATTORNEYSP'ATE'N'TEnJun 13 I972 3, 669 308 saw u or 4 L C FIG-4 u KUUT n4 meVENTO R\CHRRD SETTY 5 BEN E. LUEQNER ATTORN D T ECTU R TRANSFER ASSEMBLYFOR CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS This invention relates in general to new anduseful improvements in transfer assemblies and more particularly relatesto a transfer assembly for distributing members continuously flowingfrom a source into a plurality of separate stacks, preferably with eachstack of members being placed within a carrier. While the transferassembly may be utilized to distribute all types of members having aregular configuration, it has particular adaptability to cylindricalmembers. A particular application of the transfer assembly relates tothe handling of can bodies with specific reference to the transportationof the can bodies through an oven to effect a curing of a coatingthereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With particular reference to the applicationof the transfer assembly in the handling of can bodies, it is to beunderstood that can bodies flow at a very high rate, that is up to 1,000can bodies per minute. The presents extreme difficulties when the canbodies are to be segregated into smaller quantities for ease inhandling.

A typical difficulty in the handling of can bodies occurs when it isdesired to pass them through an oven for the purpose of curing a coatingapplied to the interior thereof. In the past the can bodies are fed intoopen baskets or racks at a loading station from which they are thentransported by an endless conveyor through an oven where they are driedor cured and subsequently discharged from the baskets prior to thebaskets again reaching the loading station for refilling. In a typicalarrangement, the can bodies move along a main feed chute, under gravityfeed, and are delivered to a reciprocable feed station or distributorwhich moves with the baskets, while they are being filled, and moves inan opposite direction during the non-feeding portion of its cycle ofoscillation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a different andimproved basket construction, an improved apparatus for effecting theloading of the baskets or carriers, and additionally a malfunctioncontrol device so as to prevent the loading of a basket or carriershould there be a previously loaded member retained therein.

It is also to be understood that this invention relates to a specifictransfer assembly and is not limited to the handling of any particularlymember although the transfer assembly is particularly adapted to thehandling of can bodies, nor is it limited to any specific treatment ofthe members after they have been distributed into the baskets orcarriers. It is, however, feasible that the transfer assembly may beutilized in the loading of carriers with can bodies for the passage ofthe can bodies through a curing oven.

One of the principal features of the invention is to provide a transferassembly which is capable of handling a large volume of members, that ison the order of 1,000 members per minute. In accordance with thisinvention, members are delivered by gravity from a supply chute to aloading drum which is mounted for continuous rotation. The loading drumis provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced storage chuteswhich repeatedly pass under the supply chute and receive by gravity flowmembers therefrom. Each storage chute is of a capacity greater than thecarrier to be loaded and means are provided for passing carriers aroundthe axis of rotation of the loading drum in alignment with the dischargeends of the discharge chutes for receiving members therefrom. Anescapement mechanism is provided for serially delivering members from astorage chute into an underlying carrier.

One of the principal features of the invention is the construction ofthe drum loader in a manner whereby it is capable of receiving acontinuous supply of members in a manner wherein the members may besupplied at a high rate from a single source and still are automaticallydistributed to the storage chutes of the rotating loading drum.

Another feature of the invention is the construction of the storagechutes of the loader drum on a slope, preferably helically around theperiphery of the loader drum, whereby there is a gradual movement ofmembers down through the storage chutes by gravity feed, but at asufficiently slow rate, whereby the members will not be damaged by theirmovement through the storage chute.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a discharge gate atthe bottom end of each storage chute for automatically dischargingmembers from a storage chute at only predetermined times during thecycle of operation of the drum loader.

In accordance with the foregoing, the discharge gate is of theescapement type wherein but a single member is released at a time from astorage chute and means are provided for repeatedly actuating thedischarge gate so as to serially discharge members therefrom.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an actuator for vthe discharge gate which may be selectively rendered inoperative eitherfor the purpose of preventing the discharge of any members from astorage chute into an underlying carrier, or for selectively controllingthe number of members discharged from a storage chute.

A further feature of this invention is to provide detector means to makecertain that if a member is jammed within a carrier at the time of thepresentation of the carrier to the drum loader, no additional memberswill be discharged into that particular carrier.

Still another feature of this invention is to provide a carrier in whichmembers are vertically stored and wherein means are provided forgradually dissipating the potential energy of free fall of the membersas they move through and into the carrier.

In accordance with the foregoing, each carrier is provided with aplurality of escapements which are actuated by the weight of a memberthereon so as to permit the progressive movement of a member down intoand through a carrier.

When desired, the escapement mechanisms may be constructed so as tosupport each associated member within a carrier in vertically spacedrelation with respect to the next vertically adjacent members.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an application ofthe transfer assembly and shows generally the relationship of thecomponents thereof.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the transfer assembly and shows theposition of various components thereof.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view with parts omitted for clarity of thedrum loader and shows the configuration of a single storage chutethereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken away ofthe drum loader of FIG. 3 and shows further details of the singleillustrated storage chute.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken generally alongthe line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and shows specifically the details of thedischarge gate of one of the storage chutes.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken alongthe line 66 of FIG. 5 and shows further the details of the dischargegate.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line7-7 of FIG. 5 and shows further the details of the discharge gate.

FIG. 8 is a schematic elevational view showing the discharge gate in itschute closing position.

FIG. 9 is a schematic elevational view similar to FIG. 8 and shows thedischarge gate moved to a position to initiate the release of thelowermost member from the discharge chute.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing details ofthe actuating mechanism of the discharge gate.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the carriers withan intermediate portion thereof broken away and shows the details ofconstruction thereof.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 12-12 ofFIG. 11 and shows the guide arrangement of the carrier.

FIG. 13 is a schematic fragmentary elevational view showing the mannerin which the discharge gate of a carrier is actuated to release membersstored within a carrier.

FIG. 14 is a schematic developed view showing the manner in which adischarge gate is rendered inoperative when the presence of a memberjammed within a carrier to be aligned with the discharge gate isassociated, and the manner in which the discharge gate may be reset.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic elevational view similar to FIG. 9showing the actuator for the discharge gate after it has been renderedinoperative.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that there isillustrated a typical application of the transfer assembly which is thesubject of this invention, the transfer assembly being generallyidentified by the numeral 20. It is also pointed out that while thespecific application of the transfer assembly relates to the handling ofcan bodies, it is to be understood that the transfer assembly is notlimited, except for the configuration of certain of the guide elementsthereof to be discussed hereinafter, to can bodies, and that whilereference will be made specifically to can bodies hereinafter, it is tobe understood that the can bodies could equally as well be othersubstantially uniform configuration members.

Members, such as the can bodies C, are supplied to the transfer assembly20 at a very high rate through a gravity feed supply chute 21. The canbodies C are delivered to a drum loader or loading drum, generallyidentified by the numeral 22. The drum loader 22 stores the high volumeof can bodies C and periodically discharges a column of can bodies intoone of a plurality of carriers, generally identified by the numeral 23which move in orderly fashion beneath the drum loader 22. The carriers23 are preferably suspended from an endless chain 24 which passes alonga predetermined path, a portion of which is defined by a sprocket 25.

While the can bodies C may be stored within the carriers 23 for anydesired purpose, in accordance with a specific application of thisinvention, the can bodies C will be those to which a coating has beenpreviously applied, the coating being previously applied to the interiorof the can bodies C. The loaded carriers 23 are then passed into aconventional oven 26 wherein the coating applied to the can bodies arecured.

After the carriers pass from the ovens, they are associated with adischarge mechanism 27 which is utilized to automatically unload thecarriers 23. The loader 22 is carried by a vertical shaft 28 which ismounted for rotation in a suitable housing 30 and whichv is driven in aconventional manner not shown.

Basically, the drum 22 includes a cylindrical drum-like member 31 whichis secured to the shaft 28 in concentric relation with respect theretoand for rotation therewith. It is to be understood that theconstructional details of the interior of the drumlike member 31 and themanner in which it is attached to the shaft 28 is not a part of thisinvention and no further discussion thereof is necessary for anunderstanding of the invention.

The loading drum 22 includes a plurality of storage chutes disposedaboutthe exterior of the drum like member 31, the storage chutes beingidentified by the numeral 32. The storage chutes 32 are of a helicalconfiguration and each is defined by two pairs of rods, each pair ofrods including an inner rod 33 and an outer rod 34. The rods of eachpair of rods 33 and 34 are supported by a set of radially extending pins35 as is clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It is to be understood thateach pair of rods 33,34 functions as the bottom part of one storagechute 32 and the upper part of a next adjacent storage chute 32.

The pins 35 terminate at their outer ends at vertical struts 36 whichare disposed in circumferentially spaced relation generally parallel tothe axis of the drum-like member 31; The upper ends of the struts 36 areconnected to a cylindrical guide sleeve 37 which extends about the upperportion of the drum like member 31 in concentric relation with respectthereto. The lower ends of the struts 36 are similarly connected to alower guide sleeve 38 which is also disposed in concentric relation withrespect to the drum-like member 31. At this time, it is pointed out thatthe drum-like member 31 extends below the lower edge of the guide sleeve38 in the form of a skirt 40 which will be discussed in more detailhereinafter.

The exterior surface of the drum-like member 31 forms one side of eachstorage chute 32. The opposite side of each storage chute 32 is definedby a helical strap 41 which is secured to and supported by the struts36.

It is to be noted that each chute 32 terminates well below the upperedge of the drum-like member 31 leaving between the drum-like member 31and the guide sleeve 37 an annular space 41 into which cans aredelivered prior to their entry into the storage chutes 32. The entranceto each storage chute 32 is defined by a pair of circumferentiallyspaced, radially extending rods 42 which are secured to the upper endsof the rods 33,34. Since the entrances to the storage chutes 32 areimmediately adjacent to one another, it will be seen that any candelivered into the space 41 will automatically be directed into one ofthe storage chutes 32.

The lower ends of the rods 33,34 within the confines of the lower guidesleeve 38 are bent so as to extend vertically and are identified by thenumeral 43. In addition, there is secured to the underside of each ofthe rods 33,34 a short vertically extending rod segment 44 whichtogether with the vertical portions 43 of the next adjacent rods 33,34define a discharge passage 45 which is vertically disposed. The movementof the cans out through the discharge passage 45 of each storage chute32 is controlled by a gate mechanism of the escapement type, the gatemechanism being generally identified by the numeral 46 and being of aspecific construction which will be described hereinafter.

At this time it is to be understood that the vertical dimension of eachstorage chute 32 is such that the can bodies C passing into a storagechute will normally ride upon and engage only the lower pair of rods33,34 thereof. Because of the slope of each storage chute, in lieu ofthe can bodies dropping freely through the storage chute, they will rollupon the lower rods 33,34 thereof, thereby retarding the movement of thecan bodies to the bottom of the storage chute. At this time it ispointed out that the can bodies C are quite fragile inasmuch as they areformed of very thin metal and care must be taken not to dent or bendthem out ofround. The retarding action of the storage chute 32 assuresthat the can bodies C will not be damaged as they flow into and throughthe storage chutes.

In the presently constructed embodiment of the invention, the helixangle of the storage chutes 32 is approximately 45 and there are 24 ofthe storage chutes 32 arranged around the drum-like member 31. However,it will be apparent that these parameters may be varied, depending uponthe particular type and size of can bodies or other member beinghandled.

As briefly mentioned above, the can bodies Care constantly deliveredinto the space 41 surrounding the upper portion of the drum-like member31. The drum loader 22 rotates at a sufficiently slow angular rate topermit numerous can bodies to flow into each of the storage chutes as itpasses under the supply chute 21. It is preferred that upon each passageof a storage chute beneath the supply chute 21, the storage chute befilled or substantially filled with can bodies C. It is apparent thatone cannot accurately control the flow of can bodies from the supplychute 21 to assure that the same number of can bodies will pass intoeach storage chute 32 upon its movement beneath the supply chute 21. Insome instances, the storage chutes will be overfilled with the resultthat can bodies directed towards such overfilled storage chute willmerely roll around the space 41 and be delivered into the entranceopening or throat of the next adjacent storage chute. It may be saidthat the space 41 acts as a distributor for distributing the can bodiesinto the storage chutes.

Before considering the structure and function of the discharge gates 46,the construction and function of each of the carriers 23 should beconsidered. Basically, each carrier 23 is in the form of an elongated,vertically disposed, open sleeve. Each carrier 23 is primarily definedby a pair of side plates 50,51 which are connected together at at leastthe upper and lower ends thereof by peripherally extending straps 52.Edge portions of the side plates 50,51 are bent to define end guides 53.The side plate 50 is provided with a pair of side guides 54 which are Cshaped in cross section. In a like manner, the side plate 51 is providedwith a pair of side guides 55 which are generally of an angularconfiguration. The guides 53, 54 and 55 combine to define a guideway ofa generally rectangular outline, the guideway being identified by thenumeral 56 and of a size to have passed therethrough in guided relationa can body C.

The carriers 23 may be supported in any desired manner to pass intrain-like relation beneath the discharge ends of the storage chutes 32.It is necessary that the carriers 23 be equally spaced and that thespacing between the carriers 23 be the same as the spacing between thelower ends of the storage chutes 32 so that the carriers 23 may receivecan bodies from the storage chutes 32.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the upper ends of thecarriers 23 are secured to links of the endless chain 24. The endlesschain 56 passes around the sprocket (FIG. 1) carried by the shaft 28 sothat movement of the carriers 23 at the same speed as the peripheralspeed of movement of the discharge ends of the storage chutes 22 isassured. In a like manner, alignment of the carriers 23 with thedischarge ends of the storage chutes 22 is assured by the endless chainand sprocket arrangement. It is to be understood that the endless chain24 is also utilized to support the carriers 23 throughout other paths ofmovement, such as through the oven 26.

Referring once again to FIGS. 11 through 14, it will be seen that flowof can bodies out through the bottom of the carrier 23 is controlled bya discharge gate which is generally identified by the numeral 58. Thedischarge gate 58 is gravity urged to a closed position and includesbasically a rod which is bent to define a shaft 60 and an arm 61 withthe arm 61 terminating in a finger 62. The shaft 60 is rotatablyjournalled in a flange portion of the side plate 50 and in the sideguides 54 with the arm 61 being disposed externally of the carrier 23.In the can body blocking position of the discharge gate 58 to which itis urged by gravity, the finger 62 rests upon the lower strap 52 andserves to prevent further movement of the arm 61 in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 11.

The shaft 60 has mounted thereon a pair of detents 63 for swingingmovement therewith with the detents 63 being widely spaced apart anddisposed outside of the side guides 54. The detents 63 are secured tothe shaft 60 and retain the shaft 60 in place relative to the carrier23.

It is to be noted that the detents 63 are disposed at a generally 45angle relative to the arm 61 and when the arm is in its lowermost,generally horizontal, position, the detents 63 project into the guidespace 56 and block the downward movement of can bodies out of thecarrier 23.

It is to be understood that the discharge gate 58 is to be cam actuated.To this end, a cam follower 64 in the form of a ball is secured to thearm 61 adjacent the finger 62. The cam follower 64 projects to one sideof the carrier 23 and is in a position to be engaged by a cam 65 locatedat the discharge station 27. At is best shown in FIG. 1, the cam 65 willbe located along the path of movement of the carriers 23 as theyapproach the drum loader 22. Underlying the path of movement of thecarriers 23 as they move by the cam 65 is a hopper like member 66 whichis elongated in the direction of carrier movement. This is necessitatedby the fact that the carriers 23 constantly move and time must beprovided for the discharge of the can bodies therefrom. The dischargechute 67.

When the members being handled by the transfer assembly 20 are canbodies or other relatively fragile members, it is desirable that somemeans be provided to assure the proper guiding of a member released froma storage chute 22 into an underlying carrier 23. Accordingly, it ispreferred that each carrier 23 be provided at the upper end thereof withan inlet guide assembly which is generally identified by the numeral 70.The guide assembly 70 preferably includes a throat defining rod 71 whichis of an outline having substantially the same length as the guide space56, but of a greater width. The rod 71 is supported about the mainportion of the carrier 23 by means of upstanding rods 72. The rod 71also have central portions of the sides thereof downwardly bent in agenerally U-shaped fashion, and inclined towards one another in aconverging manner so as to provide guides 73 which center the can bodiesas they pass into the carrier.

Since the guide space 56 of the carrier 23 is vertically disposed, thecan bodies have a tendency to drop straight down therethrough and impacteither against the detents 63 or the previously positioned can body. Inorder to avoid such impact and possible damage to the can bodies, eachcarrier 23 is provided with a plurality of descent retarders, eachgenerally identified by the numeral 75. There is one descent retarder 75for each can body of the capacity of the particular carrier 23. Thedescent retarders 75 are of the escapement type and are graduallygravity actuated both as to the automatic resetting thereof and theautomatic actuation thereof by a can body.

Referring now to FIG. 12, it will be seen that each descent retarder 75includes a shaft 76 which extends through and is rotatably joumalled inthe side guides 54. On the opposite ends of the shaft 76 there issecured escapement members 77 each of which, as is best shown in FIG.13, includes an upper finger 78 and a lower finger 80. The centralportion of each shaft 76 is provided with a weight 81 which extendsthrough a slot 82 in the side plate 50.

With reference to FIG. 1 1, it will be seen that the weight 81 pivotsthe shaft 76 so that the lower fingers are disposed in projectingrelation within the guide space 56 while the upper fingers 78 areretracted. The can body C engages the lower fingers 80 and serves torotate the shaft 71 so that the lower fingers 80 move out of the guidespace 56. It will be obvious that as each can body C actuates one of thedescent retarders 75, it comes almost to a stop and therefore, theeffective drop of a can body as it passes down into the carrier 23 isonly from one can retarder to the next.

With reference to FIG. 13, it is to be noted that the descent retarder75 has a second function. The can retarders 75 are so positioned withrespect to the position of can bodies within the carrier 23 whereby whena can body is at a final resting place within the carrier 23, the canbody is in engagement with the associated fingers 80 and pivot them toretracted positions. At the same time, the upper fingers 78 are pivotedinto the guide space 56 and serve as supports for the next higher canbody. While the spacing between can bodies has been exaggerated in FIG.13, it is to be understood that the intended spacing is one where thereis only sufiicient room for the circulation of air around a can body.

It is also to be understood that when the discharge gate 58 is moved toits open position, the can bodies C are serially discharged from thecarrier 23 in that the outflow of can bodies is retarded in the manneras aforedescribed inflow.

Reference is now made to the construction of the discharge gate 46 atthe discharge end of each of the storage chutes 32. The discharge gate46 is of the escapement type and includes a shaft 84 which is rotatablyjournalled in brackets 79 (FIG. 6) which are, in turn, secured to thelower portion of the drumlike member 31 and the lower guide sleeve 38.It is also to be noted that the shaft 84 passes outwardly through thelower guide sleeve. An escapement mechanism 85 is carried by the shaftand generally projects into the storage chute discharge space 45. Theescapement mechanism includes a pair of V- hopper 66 leads into a shapedarms 86 which support an upper rod 87 and a lower rod 88 which aredisposed parallel to the shaft 84. Normally the upper rod 87 projectsinto the discharge space 45 and prevents the outflow of can bodies C inthe manner shown in FIG. 8.

The discharge gate 46 is gravity urged tovits closed position androtation of the escapement mechanism 85 in a clockwise direction beyondthat shown in FIG. 8 is prevented by a rod 90 which is also supported bythe brackets 79 and is engaged by the arms 86.

It is intended that the discharge gate 85 be cam actuated and a singlecan body at a time be discharged. To this end, there is mounted on theend of the shaft 84 disposed outwardly of the guide sleeve 38 an arm 91which is provided with a cam follower 92. In the normal operation of thedischarge gate 46, the cam follower 92 rides up over a cam element 93,as is shown in FIG. 9, and the upper rod 87 swings out of the path ofthe can bodies in a counterclockwise direction so as to allow thelowennost can body within the storage chute 32 to drop down into thedischarge space 45. The downward movement of the lowermost can body istemporarily limited by the lower rod 88 which has swung into thedischarge space. The lowermost can body also limits thedownward movementof the next upper can body.

When the cam follower 92 drops off at the top of the cam element 93, thedischarge gate 46 is returned to its initial position of FIG. 8 bygravity with the result that the lowennost can body is discharged andthe rod 87 swings back into the discharge space 45 to prevent thedischarge of the next can bod It will be readily apparent that eachcarrier 23 is of a size to receive a predetermined number of can bodies.In a preferred embodiment, the carrier 23 will hold 16 can bodies. Itis, therefore, desired that as each carrier 23 passes beneath the drumloader 22, I6 can bodies be discharged thereinto. In order to accomplishthis, there are 16 cam elements 93. These cam elements are preferablyspaced apart with the first cam element being operative to discharge afirst can body at approximately 10 from the point of tangent between thepath of the carriers 23 and the drum loader 22 and the last can bodybeing discharged approximately 10 in advance of the diametricallyopposite tangent.

It is to be understood that for reasons set forth hereinafter, it isdesirable at times to lock out the discharge gate assembly 46 so thatthe arm 91, in cooperation with one of the cam elements 93, isinoperative to move the escapement mechanism to a can body releasingposition. Accordingly, the arm 91 is mounted on the shaft 84 forrotation and is coupled to the shaft by means of a spring loaded detenttype clutch which is generally identified by the numeral 95. As is shownbest in FIG. 10, a generally circular driven clutch element 96 isfixedly secured to the shaft 84 and is provided with a pair of detentreceiving sockets 97 in that face thereof opposing the arm 91. The arm91, in turn, is provided with a first pair of detents 98 which arenormally seated in the sockets 97. The arm 91 is constantly urgedtowards the clutch element 96 by means of a spring 100 (FIG. 7) which ispositioned between the arm 91 and a washer 101 on the end of the shaft84. In the normal operation of the discharge gate assembly 46, the arm91, through the detents 98, drives the clutch element 96 to rotate theshaft 84.

It is to be noted that the clutch element 96 is provided with a notch102 in the edge thereof. In addition, there is pivotally mounted on thelower guide sleeve 38 by means of a pivot pin 103, a lockout member 104having a shoulder portion 105 which is engageable in the notch 102. Thelockout member 104, as is shown in FIG. 8, is normally held in aninoperative position by means of a permanent magnet 106 which is carriedby a bracket 107 mounted on the outer surface of the lower guide sleeve38. When the lockout member 104 is depressed, the shoulder portion 105drops in the notch 102 and prevents the rotation of the shaft 84 in acounterclockwise direction as is necessary to move the escapementmechanism 85 to a can body releasing position.

When the clutch element 96 is locked against rotation and the camfollower 92 rides up over one of the cam elements 93, the arm 91 rotateswithout rotating the clutch element 96. As a result, the arm 91 movesaway from the clutch element 96 against the resistance of the spring andthe detents 98 move out of the sockets 97.

It is to be understood that once it is determined that the dischargegate assembly 46 is not to be actuated by the cam elements 93, it isalso desirable to lock the arm 91 in an inoperative position.Accordingly, the arm 91 is also provided with a second set of detents108 which are annularly spaced from the detents 98 and are engageable inthe sockets 97. When the clutch element 96 is locked against rotation,and the cam follower 92 rides up over one of the cam elements 93, thearm 91 will be rotated to a position wherein the detents 108 will snapinto the sockets 97 and thus hold the arm. 91 in a rotated position withrespect to the clutch element 96.

At this time it is pointed out that the angular spacing of the detents98 and 100 is only slightly greater than the amount of lift of a camelement 93. However, because the detents 108 are rounded, in thisposition they will partially overlap the sockets 97 and due to theurgence of the spring 100, they will move fully into the sockets 97 withthe resultant additional rotation of the arm 91 in a counterclockwisedirection relative to the clutch element 96.

With respect to the foregoing, the engagement of the cam follower 92with a cam element 93 will efi'ect the rotation of the arm 91 through anangle of 40 in a counterclockwise direction. When the clutch element 96is locked against rotation, the detents 108 will move into the sockets97 with the result that the arm 91 will be rotated in a counterclockwisedirection through an additional angle of 5", thereby making the totalrotation of the arm 91 through a counterclockwise direction angle of 45.This will hold the cam follower 92 above the general line of the camelements 93.

It is to be understood that the lockout 104 is, in its operativeposition, spaced sufficiently from the permanent magnet 106 so as to notbe drawn thereto. On the other hand, once the arm 91 has been moved toits inoperative position relative to the clutch element 96, it isdesired that the lockout 104 be moved to its inoperative position.Accordingly, the lockout 104 is provided with an offset car 110 whichvertically overlies the arm 92. The relationship between the ear 110 andthe arm 91 is such that when the lockout 104 is in engagement with theclutch element 96 and the cam follower 92 rides up over a cam element93, as the arm 91 approaches the end of the stroke of the cam element93, it engages the end 110 and begins to lift the lockout 104. At thetime the cam follower 92 reaches the top of the cam element, the lockout104 is still effective to prevent rotation of the cam element 96, but isclosely approaching a position where the cam element 96 would bereleased. When the arm 91 is further rotated in a counterclockwisedirection by the action of the detents 108 entering the sockets 97, thearm 91 moves sufiiciently to both move the lockout 104 out of engagementwith the cam element 96 and to move it into the influence of thepermanent magnet 106 so that it is drawn to and held in its inoperativeposition by the magnet 106.

When it is desired to reset the discharge gate assembly 46 for operationby the cam elements 93, the cam follower 92 is brought into engagementwith a cam element 1 11, as is shown in FIG. 14. Since the shaft 84 isprevented from rotating in a clockwise direction by the action of thepin 90, when the arm 91 is rotated in a clockwise direction by theengagement of the cam follower 92 with the cam element 111, the detents108 will move out of the sockets 97 and the arm 91 will rotate relativeto the clutch element 96 until the detents 98 again enter the sockets 97to restore the initial relationship between the arm 91 and the clutchelement 96.

It is to be understood that the normal position of the lockout 104 isthe inoperative position shown in FIG. 8. In order that the lockout 104may be depressed to an operative position, a suitable actuator 112 mustbe provided. In FIG. 14 the actuator 112 is illustrated as being carriedby an arm 1 13 of a solenoid 114. Normally the actuator 112 will beretracted and inoperative. However, when the solenoid 114 is energized,the actuator 112 will be depressed and the lockout 104 will be moveddown to its operative position, as shown in FIG. 14.

In accordance with this invention, it is not desired that any can bodiesbe distributed to a carrier 23 unless it is completely free of canbodies following the passage of the carrier 23 past the dischargestation 27. However, occasionally a can body C, normally a damaged canbody, will become jammed within a carrier 23.

A suitable detector 115 preferably of the photoelectric cell type, willbe disposed intermediate the discharge station 27 and the drum loader22. When the detector 115 detects that the line of sight verticallythrough a carrier 23 is blocked, it will energize the solenoid 114 tomove the actuator 112 down into position to, in turn, move the thenassociated lockout 104 into position locking the cam element 96 againstrotation.

As described above, when the cam element 96 is locked against rotationand the cam follower 92 rides up on the first cam element 93, the arm 91will be locked in an inoperative position without the operation of theescapement mechanism 95 and the cam follower 92 will be held above allof the remaining cam elements to prevent the discharge of any can bodiesinto the particular carrier 23. When the arm 91 which has been removedto an inoperative position reaches the reset cam element 111, it will beagain moved to its operative position as previously described.

in FIG. 2 there is schematically illustrated the related positions ofthe detector, the lockout actuator and the discharge gate arm reset cam.It is to be understood, however, that these positions can be varied inaccordance with the requirements of the system.

It is also to be understood that it is feasible to incorporate a lockoutactuator at a different location about the drum loader 22. For example,-if under certain conditions it is desired to place only 14 can bodies ina carrier, then a lockout actuator may be set after the 14th cam element93. This will automatically prevent the actuation of the discharge gateassembly 46 by the last two cam elements 93. I

It is also particularly pointed out here that the distance from thebottom of each storage chute 32 to the guides 70 of each carrier 23 isin excessof the diameter of a can body so as to prevent anypossibilityof a can body becomming jammed between the top of a carrier and theunderside of the drum loader. It is also to be noted that the dependingskirt portion 40 of the drum loader 22 projects downwardly sufficientlyto prevent a can body from passing radially inwardly between thecarriers 23 and the drum loader.

it has been previously indicated that while a primary useage of thetransfer assembly is in conjunction with can bodies, it is to beunderstood that the transfer assembly may be readily adapted to handlevarious members. It would appear that a requirement of the members onlybe that they are of regular configuration such as may be handled bychutes. it is also to be understood that while specific reference ismade to can bodies, in most instances, the can bodies will have one endthereof closed. It is also feasible to handle closed cans with thetransfer assembly.

Although only a preferred embodiment of the transfer assembly has beenspecifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understoodthat minor variations may be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A transfer assembly for transferring members from a supply source tocarriers adapted to hold a predetermined number of such members, saidtransfer assembly comprising an upright drum-like member mounted forrotation about an upright axis, said drum-like member having a pluralityof combined guide and storage chutes spaced about said axis, upper endsof said chutes being positioned for passage relative to said supplysource for receiving members therefrom, means mounting said carriers formovement along a predetermined each have a gradual slope wherebymovement of members 7 through said chute is retarded.

3. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein the spacingbetween saiddrum-like member and said carriers in the direction of member movementtherebetween is greater than the like dimension of members to permit theescape of mis-- placed members from therebetween.

4. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said carriers have membermovement retarding means therein for effecting the gradual movement ofmembers therethrough.

5. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said carriers have membermovement retarding means therein for effecting the gradual movement ofmembers therethrough, said retard ing means being mechanical andoperable to effect step-bystep dropping of members.

6. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said carriers have membermovement retarding means therein for effecting the gradual movement ofmembers therethrough, said retarding means being in the form of gravityactuated escapement mechanisms and operable to effect step-by stepdropping of members.

7. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said carriers have membermovement retarding means therein for effecting the gradual movement ofmembers therethrough, said retarding means being in the form of gravityactuated escapement mechanisms and operable to effect step-by-stepdropping of members, each escapement mechanism having a portion automatically positionable between adjacent members stacked in a carrier tospace the same.

8. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said transfer assembly isparticularly adapted to handle cylindrical members capable of rolling,and said drum-like member is provided at the upper ends of said chuteswith an annular guideway in which members to be transferred may rolluntil they fall into one of said chutes.

9. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said gate means includes anescapement mechanism separately controlling the passage of members outof each chute, and control means for repeatedly actuating eachescapement mechanism while a carrier is aligned with the respectivechute to sequentially release members.

10. The transfer assembly of claim 9 wherein said control means includesan actuating arm and a plurality of cams cooperable with said actuatingarm for repeatedly moving said escapement mechanism to a memberreleasing position.

11. The transfer assembly of claim 10 wherein there are clutch meansbetween said actuating arm and said escapement mechanism whereby saidactuating arm may be moved to a position displaced from said cams torender the associated escapement mechanism inoperative and blocking therespective chute against discharge of members.

12. The transfer assembly of claim 11 wherein said clutch means is ofthe two position detent type for selectively maintaining said actuatingam in operative and inoperative positions.

13. The transfer assembly of claim 11 together with a latch cooperativewith said escapement mechanism to lock said escapement against movementto a member releasing position.

14. The transfer assembly of claim 13 wherein said cams are operative tomove a respective actuating arm to an inoperative position when therespective latch is in its operative position.

15. The transfer assembly of claim 13 together with releasable meansnormally holding said latch in an inoperative position.

and said actuating arm have cooper-able portions for automaticallymoving said latch to an inoperative position when said actuating arm ismoved to an inoperative position to automatically reset said latch.

19. The transfer assembly of claim 18 together with means forautomatically resetting each actuating arm to an operative positionafter the end of the respective carrier loading cycle.

1. A transfer assembly for transferring members from a supply source tocarriers adapted to hold a predetermined number of such members, saidtransfer assembly comprising an upright drum-like member mounted forrotation about an upright axis, said drum-like member having a pluralityof combined guide and storage chutes spaced about said axis, upper endsof said chutes being positioned for passage relative to said supplysource for receiving members therefrom, means mounting said carriers formovement along a predetermined path with a portion of said path beingabout said axis below said chutes and with upper ends of said carriersin alignment with lower ends of said chutes for receiving memberstherefrom, and gate means at the lower ends of said chutes fordispensing from each chute a predetermined number of members into theunderlying carrier as said carriers pass around said axis.
 2. Thetransfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said chutes each have a gradualslope whereby movement of members through said chute is retarded.
 3. ThEtransfer assembly of claim 1 wherein the spacing between said drum-likemember and said carriers in the direction of member movementtherebetween is greater than the like dimension of members to permit theescape of misplaced members from therebetween.
 4. The transfer assemblyof claim 1 wherein said carriers have member movement retarding meanstherein for effecting the gradual movement of members therethrough. 5.The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said carriers have membermovement retarding means therein for effecting the gradual movement ofmembers therethrough, said retarding means being mechanical and operableto effect step-by-step dropping of members.
 6. The transfer assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said carriers have member movement retarding meanstherein for effecting the gradual movement of members therethrough, saidretarding means being in the form of gravity actuated escapementmechanisms and operable to effect step-by-step dropping of members. 7.The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said carriers have membermovement retarding means therein for effecting the gradual movement ofmembers therethrough, said retarding means being in the form of gravityactuated escapement mechanisms and operable to effect step-by-stepdropping of members, each escapement mechanism having a portionautomatically positionable between adjacent members stacked in a carrierto space the same.
 8. The transfer assembly of claim 1 wherein saidtransfer assembly is particularly adapted to handle cylindrical memberscapable of rolling, and said drum-like member is provided at the upperends of said chutes with an annular guideway in which members to betransferred may roll until they fall into one of said chutes.
 9. Thetransfer assembly of claim 1 wherein said gate means includes anescapement mechanism separately controlling the passage of members outof each chute, and control means for repeatedly actuating eachescapement mechanism while a carrier is aligned with the respectivechute to sequentially release members.
 10. The transfer assembly ofclaim 9 wherein said control means includes an actuating arm and aplurality of cams cooperable with said actuating arm for repeatedlymoving said escapement mechanism to a member releasing position.
 11. Thetransfer assembly of claim 10 wherein there are clutch means betweensaid actuating arm and said escapement mechanism whereby said actuatingarm may be moved to a position displaced from said cams to render theassociated escapement mechanism inoperative and blocking the respectivechute against discharge of members.
 12. The transfer assembly of claim11 wherein said clutch means is of the two position detent type forselectively maintaining said actuating arm in operative and inoperativepositions.
 13. The transfer assembly of claim 11 together with a latchcooperative with said escapement mechanism to lock said escapementagainst movement to a member releasing position.
 14. The transferassembly of claim 13 wherein said cams are operative to move arespective actuating arm to an inoperative position when the respectivelatch is in its operative position.
 15. The transfer assembly of claim13 together with releasable means normally holding said latch in aninoperative position.
 16. The transfer assembly of claim 15 togetherwith means for selectively moving said latch to an operative position.17. The transfer assembly of claim 15 together with means for detectingthe existence of a member blocking a carrier prior to presentation ofthe carrier to said drum-like member, and means actuated by saiddetecting means for moving a respective latch to an operative position.18. The transfer assembly of claim 15 wherein said latch and saidactuating arm have cooperable portions for automatically moving saidlatch to an inoperative position when said actuating arm is moved to aninoperative position to automatically reset said latch.
 19. The transferassembly of claim 18 together with meaNs for automatically resettingeach actuating arm to an operative position after the end of therespective carrier loading cycle.